Clinical Pakistan levelled series after trouncing Australia in the second One-Day International by nine wickets at Adelaide Oval on Friday.
Pakistan have won an ODI in Australia after eight years. They last won the limited overs match in Australia in 2017. It was Pakistan’s victory at Adelaide Oval after 28 years having last won a match in 1996.
Openers Saim Ayub slammed a swashbuckling 82 and Abdullah Shafique an unbeaten 64 lo lead Pakistan to level their ODI series 1-1. The series decider will be played on Sunday at Perth Stadium after Australia won a tense first match in Melbourne by two wickets.
Pakistan reached 169-1 with a huge 141 balls to spare.
Ayub and Shafique started the chase slowly, pinned down by Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins, with just 47 coming from the first 10 overs.
But they began swinging the bat after that with Ayub smacking a big six from Cummins then crunching another off Mitchell Starc.
The 22-year-old was dropped by Adam Zampa on 47 and capitalised by bringing up his maiden ODI half-century in only his second match, with Shafique joining the fun with some giant sixes of his own.
Ayub finally succumbed to the spin of Zampa going for another big hit, caught by Hazlewood, ending a 71-ball stay that included five fours and six sixes.
Babar Azam (15 not out) joined Shafique to see Pakistan home, ending the match with the 10th six of their innings.
“The most important thing is the team won,” said Ayub.
“We planned to be positive and not to think about the result but the most important thing is how we play as a team.
“Credit goes to Haris Rauf, but the other bowlers also supported him well.”
HARIS THE WRECKER
Rauf’s pace caused big problems after Pakistan skipper Mohammad Rizwan won the toss and sent Australia in, with Steve Smith’s 35 the top score as they were dismissed in the 35th over.
